Five Ways to Beat Holiday Stress

The holiday season can be a stressful time of year. Extra stress can be particularly challenging for people with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia and migraine, since stress can exacerbate pain. If you suffer from chronic pain, here are five tips to help you manage your stress and pain levels during the holidays:

1. Set your prioritiesThere's a lot demanding your time and attention at this time of year. Don't feel pressured to do it all. Take a minute to think about which holiday activities mean the most to you, and focus on those.2. Take time for yourselfWith busy holiday schedules, people often forget to take breaks. Consider scheduling time for yourself to do something relaxing and enjoyable. Especially if the holidays are emotionally difficult of you, it's important to take care of yourself and seek support when needed.3. ExerciseIn addition to easing stress, exercise has been shown to reduce the frequency and duration of migraines, as well as lessen the pain and disability of fibromyalgia, sciatica, and whiplash.1-2 Exercise can also expedite the recovery time of many pain conditions and injuries. Your chiropractor can help you find safe, effective ways to help you keep your energy level up.4. Be mindful of your nutritionThe holidays are full of food and drinking temptations. While it's okay to indulge yourself in moderation, over eating or eating from stress can make you feel worse in the end. Developing a healthy eating plan and getting adequate levels of vitamin C and Omega 3 fatty acids can help your body's response to stress.3-4 Your chiropractor can advise you on healthy eating habits and nutrition.5. Chiropractic Adjustments:Finally, chiropractic itself can help you manage your pain and stress level. In fact, a research study in 2010 showed that chiropractic adjustments helped reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone known to cause inflammation and irritation. 5-6

This holiday season, remember you don't need to suffer from pain and stress. While there are several steps you can take on your own to reduce stress, your chiropractor can help you lead a more balanced, pain-free life.